This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what

changes have been made to the previous version. Because

it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.

Designation: C109/C109M − 20b C109/C109M − 21

Standard Test Method for

Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using
2-in. or [50 mm] Cube Specimens)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C109/C109M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope*

1.1 This test method covers determination of the compressive strength of hydraulic cement mortars, using 2-in. or [50 mm] cube
specimens.

NOTE 1—Test Method C349 provides an alternative procedure for this determination (not to be used for acceptance tests).

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1.2 This test method covers the application of the test using either inch-pound or SI units. The values stated in either SI units or

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inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated
in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values
from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.
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1.3 Values in SI units shall be obtained by measurement in SI units or by appropriate conversion, using the Rules for Conversion
and Rounding given in IEEE/ASTM SI-10, of measurements made in other units.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address allASTM
of theC109/C109M-21
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
ofhttps://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/acb9d8c3-face-4e3b-9a6c-639e22506d5d/astm-c109-c109m-21
the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns
to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2)
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards:3

C91/C91M Specification for Masonry Cement
C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
C230/C230M Specification for Flow Table for Use in Tests of Hydraulic Cement
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency

1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on Cement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.27 on Strength.
Current edition approved June 15, 2020July 15, 2021. Published July 2020August 2021. Originally approved in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as
C109/C109M – 20a.C109/C109M – 20b. DOI: 10.1520/C0109_C0109M-20B.10.1520/C0109_C0109M-21.
2
See the section on Safety, Manual of Cement Testing, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 C109/C109M − 21
C349 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic-Cement Mortars (Using Portions of Prisms Broken in Flexure)
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic
Cements and Concretes
C595/C595M Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
C618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C778 Specification for Standard Sand
C989/C989M Specification for Slag Cement for Use in Concrete and Mortars
C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass and Volume for Use in Physical Testing of
Hydraulic Cements
C1157/C1157M Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement
C1328/C1328M Specification for Plastic (Stucco) Cement
C1329/C1329M Specification for Mortar Cement
C1437 Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
2.2 IEEE/ASTM Standard:3
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System

3. Summary of Test Method

3.1 The mortar used consists of 1 part cement and 2.75 parts of sand proportioned by mass. Portland Portland, air-entraining
portland, portland-limestone, or air-entraining portlandportland-limestone cements are mixed at a specified water/cement
ratios.water content. Water content for other cements is that sufficient to obtain a flow of 110 6 5 in 25 drops of the flow table.
Two-inch or [50 mm] test cubes are compacted by tamping in two layers. The cubes are cured one day in the molds and stripped
and immersed in lime water until tested.
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4. Significance and Use
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Document
may be used to determine compliance with Preview
4.1 This test method provides a means of determining the compressive strength of hydraulic cement and other mortars and results
specifications. Further, this test method is referenced by numerous other specifications
and test methods. Caution must be exercised in using the results of this test method to predict the strength of concretes.

5. Apparatus ASTM C109/C109M-21

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5.1 Weights and Weighing Devices, shall conform to the requirements of Specification C1005. The weighing device shall be
evaluated for precision and accuracy at a total load of 2000 g.

5.2 Glass Graduates, of suitable capacities (preferably large enough to measure the mixing water in a single operation) to deliver
the indicated volume at 20 °C. The permissible variation shall be 62 mL. These graduates shall be subdivided to at least 5 mL,
except that the graduation lines may be omitted for the lowest 10 mL for a 250 mL graduate and for the lowest 25 mL of a 500
mL graduate. The main graduation lines shall be circles and shall be numbered. The least graduations shall extend at least one
seventh of the way around, and intermediate graduations shall extend at least one fifth of the way around.

5.3 Specimen Molds, for the 2-in. or [50 mm] cube specimens shall be tight fitting. The molds shall have not more than three cube
compartments and shall be separable into not more than two parts. The parts of the molds when assembled shall be positively held
together. The molds shall be made of hard metal not attacked by the cement mortar. For new molds the Rockwell hardness number
of the metal shall be not less than 55 HRB. The sides of the molds shall be sufficiently rigid to prevent spreading or warping. The
interior faces of the molds shall be plane surfaces and shall conform to the tolerances of Table 1.

5.3.1 Cube molds shall be checked for conformance to the design and dimensional requirements of this test method at least every
2½ years.

5.4 Mixer, Bowl, and Paddle, an electrically driven mechanical mixer of the type equipped with paddle and mixing bowl, as
specified in Practice C305.

5.5 Flow Table and Flow Mold, conforming to the requirements of Specification C230/C230M.

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 C109/C109M − 21
TABLE 1 Permissible Variations of Specimen Molds
2-in. Cube Molds [50 mm] Cube Molds
Parameter
Parameter New In Use New In Use
New In Use New In Use
Planeness of sides <0.001 in. <0.002 in. [<0.025 mm] [<0.05 mm]
Planeness of sides <0.001 in. <0.002 in [<0.025 mm] [<0.05 mm]

Distance between opposite sides 2 in. ± 0.005 2 in. ± 0.02 [50 mm ± 0.13 mm] [50 mm ± 0.50 mm]

Height of each compartment 2 in. + 0.01 in. 2 in. + 0.01 in. [50 mm + 0.25 mm [50 mm + 0.25 mm
Height of each compartment 2 in. + 0.01 in. to − 0.005 in. 2 in. + 0.01 in. to − 0.015 in. [50 mm + 0.25 mm to − 0.13 mm] [50 mm + 0.25 mm to − 0.38 mm]
to − 0.005 in. to − 0.015 in. to − 0.13 mm] to − 0.38 mm]

Angle between adjacent facesA 90 ± 0.5° 90 ± 0.5° 90 ± 0.5° 90 ± 0.5°

A
Measured at points slightly removed from the intersection. Measured separately for each compartment between all the interior faces and the adjacent face and between
interior faces and top and bottom planes of the mold.

5.6 Tamper, a nonabsorptive, nonabrasive, nonbrittle material such as a rubber compound having a Shore A durometer hardness
of 80 6 10 or seasoned oak wood rendered nonabsorptive by immersion for 15 min in paraffin at approximately 392 °F or [200
°C], shall have a cross section of 0.5 (60.06) by 1 in (60.06) [13 (61.6) by 25 (61.6) mm] and a length of 5 to 6 in. or [120 to
150 mm]. The tamping face shall be flat and at right angles to the length of the tamper.

5.6.1 Tampers shall be checked for conformance to the design and dimensional requirements of this test method at least every six

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months.

NOTE 2—Each day that the tamper is used a visual inspection should confirm that the end is flat and at a right angle to the long axis of the tamper. Rounded
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or peeling tampers should not be allowed for use.

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5.7 Trowel, having a steel blade 4 to 6 in. [100 to 150 mm] in length, with straight edges.

5.8 Moist Cabinet or Room, conforming to the requirements of Specification C511.

ASTM C109/C109M-21
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5.9 Testing Machine, either the hydraulic or the screw type, with sufficient opening between the upper bearing surface and the
lower bearing surface of the machine to permit the use of verifying apparatus. The load applied to the test specimen shall be
indicated with an accuracy of 61.0 %. If the load applied by the compression machine is registered on a dial, the dial shall be
provided with a graduated scale that can be read to at least the nearest 0.1 % of the full scale load (Note 3). The dial shall be
readable within 1 % of the indicated load at any given load level within the loading range. In no case shall the loading range of
a dial be considered to include loads below the value that is 100 times the smallest change of load that can be read on the scale.
The scale shall be provided with a graduation line equal to zero and so numbered. The dial pointer shall be of sufficient length to
reach the graduation marks; the width of the end of the pointer shall not exceed the clear distance between the smallest graduations.
Each dial shall be equipped with a zero adjustment that is easily accessible from the outside of the dial case, and with a suitable
device that at all times until reset, will indicate to within 1 % accuracy the maximum load applied to the specimen.

5.9.1 If the testing machine load is indicated in digital form, the numerical display must be large enough to be easily read. The
numerical increment must be equal to or less than 0.10 % of the full scale load of a given loading range. In no case shall the verified
loading range include loads less than the minimum numerical increment multiplied by 100. The accuracy of the indicated load must
be within 1.0 % for any value displayed within the verified loading range. Provision must be made for adjusting to indicate true
zero at zero load. There shall be provided a maximum load indicator that at all times until reset will indicate within 1 % system
accuracy the maximum load applied to the specimen.

5.9.2 Compression machines shall be verified in accordance with Practices E4 at least annually to determine if indicated loads,
with and without the maximum load indicator (when so equipped), are accurate to 61.0 %.

NOTE 3—As close as can be read is considered 1⁄50 in. or [0.5 mm] along the arc described by the end of the pointer. Also, one half of the scale interval
is about as close as can reasonably be read when the spacing on the load indicating mechanism is between 1⁄25 in. or [1 mm] and 1⁄16 in. or [1.6 mm].
When the spacing is between 1⁄16 in. or [1.6 mm] and 1⁄8 in. or [3.2 mm], one third of the scale interval can be read with reasonable certainty. When the
spacing is 1⁄8 in. or [3.2 mm] or more, one fourth of the scale interval can be read with reasonable certainty.

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 C109/C109M − 21

5.9.3 The upper bearing assembly shall be a spherically seated, hardened metal block firmly attached at the center of the upper
head of the machine. The center of the sphere shall coincide with the surface of the bearing face within a tolerance of 65 % of
the radius of the sphere. Unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, the spherical portion of the bearing block and the seat
that holds this portion shall be cleaned and lubricated with a petroleum type oil such as motor oil at least every six months. The
block shall be closely held in its spherical seat, but shall be free to tilt in any direction. A hardened metal bearing block shall be
used beneath the specimen to minimize wear of the lower platen of the machine. To facilitate accurate centering of the test
specimen in the compression machine, one of the two surfaces of the bearing blocks shall have a diameter or diagonal of between
2.83 in. [70.7 mm] (see Note 4) and 2.9 in. [73.7 mm]. When the upper block bearing surface meets this requirement, the lower
block bearing surface shall be greater than 2.83 in. [70.7 mm]. When the lower block bearing surface meets this requirement, the
diameter or diagonal of upper block bearing surface shall be between 2.83 and 31⁄8 in. [70.7 and 79.4 mm]. When the lower block
is the only block with a diameter or diagonal between 2.83 and 2.9 in. [70.7 and 73.7 mm], the lower block shall be used to center
the test specimen. In that case, the lower block shall be centered with respect to the upper bearing block and held in position by
suitable means. The bearing block surfaces intended for contact with the specimen shall have a Rockwell harness number not less
than 60 HRC. These surfaces shall not depart from plane surfaces by more than 0.0005 in. [0.013 mm] when the blocks are new
and shall be maintained within a permissible variation of 0.001 in. or [0.025 mm].

5.9.3.1 Compression machine bearing blocks shall be checked for planeness in accordance with this test method at least annually
using a straightedge and feeler stock and shall be refinished if found to be out of tolerance.

NOTE 4—The diagonal of a 2 in. [50 mm] cube is 2.83 in. [70.7 mm].

6. Materials

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6.1 Graded Standard Sand:

6.1.1 The sand (Note 5) used for making test specimens shall be natural silica sand conforming to the requirements for graded
standard sand in Specification C778.
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NOTE 5—Segregation of Graded Sand—The graded standard sand should be handled in such a manner as to prevent segregation, since variations in the
grading of the sand cause variations in the consistency of the mortar. In emptying bins or sacks, care should be exercised to prevent the formation of
mounds of sand or craters in the sand, down the slopes of which the coarser particles will roll. Bins should be of sufficient size to permit these precautions.
Devices for drawing the sand from bins by gravity should not be used.
ASTM C109/C109M-21
7. Temperature and Humidity
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7.1 Temperature—The temperature of the air in the vicinity of the mixing slab, the dry materials, molds, base plates, and mixing
bowl, shall be maintained between 73.5 6 5.5 °F or [23.0 6 3.0 °C]. The temperature of the mixing water, moist closet or moist
room, and water in the storage tank shall be set at 73.5 6 3.5 °F or [23 6 2 °C].

7.2 Humidity—The relative humidity of the laboratory shall be not less than 50 %. The moist closet or moist room shall conform
to the requirements of Specification C511.

8. Test Specimens

8.1 Make two or three specimens from a batch of mortar for each period of test or test age.

9. Preparation of Specimen Molds

9.1 Apply a thin coating of release agent to the interior faces of the mold and non-absorptive base plates. Apply oils and greases
using an impregnated cloth or other suitable means. Wipe the mold faces and the base plate with a cloth as necessary to remove
any excess release agent and to achieve a thin, even coating on the interior surfaces. When using an aerosol lubricant, spray the
release agent directly onto the mold faces and base plate from a distance of 6 to 8 in. or [150 to 200 mm] to achieve complete
coverage. After spraying, wipe the surface with a cloth as necessary to remove any excess aerosol lubricant. The residue coating
should be just sufficient to allow a distinct finger print to remain following light finger pressure (Note 6).

9.2 Seal the surfaces where the halves of the mold join by applying a coating of light cup grease such as petrolatum. The amount
should be sufficient to extrude slightly when the two halves are tightened together. Remove any excess grease with a cloth.

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 C109/C109M − 21

9.3 Seal molds to their base plates with a watertight sealant. Use microcrystalline wax or a mixture of three parts paraffin wax to
five parts rosin by mass. Paraffin wax is permitted as a sealant with molds that clamp to the base plate. Liquefy the wax by heating
it to a temperature of between 230 and 248 °F or [110 and 120 °C]. Effect a watertight seal by applying the liquefied sealant at
the outside contact lines between the mold and its base plate (Note 7).

9.4 Optionally, a watertight sealant of petroleum jelly is permitted for clamped molds. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly
to the entire surface of the face of the mold that will be contacting the base plate. Clamp the mold to the base plate and wipe any
excess sealant from the interior of the mold and base plate.

NOTE 6—Because aerosol lubricants evaporate, molds should be checked for a sufficient coating of lubricant immediately prior to use. If an extended
period of time has elapsed since treatment, retreatment may be necessary.

NOTE 7—Watertight Molds—The mixture of paraffin wax and rosin specified for sealing the joints between molds and base plates may be found difficult
to remove when molds are being cleaned. Use of straight paraffin wax is permissible if a watertight joint is secured, but due to the low strength of paraffin
wax it should be used only when the mold is not held to the base plate by the paraffin wax alone. When securing clamped molds with paraffin wax, an
improved seal can be obtained by slightly warming the mold and base plate prior to applying the wax. Molds so treated should be allowed to return to
room temperature before use.

10. Specimen Preparation Procedure

10.1 Composition of Mortars:

10.1.1 The proportions of materials for the standard mortar shall be one part of cement to 2.75 parts of graded standard sand by
weight. Use a water-cement ratio of 0.485 for all portland cements and 0.460 for all air-entraining portland cements. The amount

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of mixing water for other than portland and air-entraining portland cements shall be such as to produce a flow of 110 6 5 as
determined in accordance with 10.3 and shall be expressed as weight percent of cement.

10.1.1 Materials for the standard(https://standards.iteh.ai)

mortar shall be cement, graded standard sand, and water. The quantities of materials to be mixed
at one time in the batch of mortar for making six, nine, and twelve test specimens shall be in accordance with Table 2as follows:.

cements. The amount of mixing water for Document Preview

Use specified water content for all portland, portland-limestone, air-entraining portland, or air-entraining portland-limestone
other cements shall be such as to

Number of Specimens
Cement, g
ASTM C109/C109M-21
6
500
9
740
12
1060
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Sand, g 1375 2035 2915
Water, mL
Portland (0.485) 242 359 514
Air-entraining portland (0.460) 230 340 488
Other (to flow of 110 ± 5) ... ... ...

produce a flow of 110 6 5 as determined in accordance with 10.3.

NOTE 8—The water-to-portland-cement and water-to-portland-limestone-cement ratio used in Table 2 is 0.485 by mass. For air-entraining cements, the
water-to-portland-cement or water-toportland-limestone-cement ratio is 0.460 by mass. The sand-to-cement ratio is 2.75.

10.2 Preparation of Mortar:

10.2.1 Mechanically mix in accordance with the procedure given in Practice C305.

10.3 Determination of Flow:

TABLE 2 Standard Test Mortar Proportions

Number of Specimens
Material
6 9 12
Cement, g 500 740 1060
Sand, g 1375 2035 2915
Water, mL
Portland or portland-limestone cements 242 359 514
Air-entraining portland or air-entraining portland-limestone cements 230 340 488
Other cements (to flow of 110 ± 5) ... ... ...

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 C109/C109M − 21

10.3.1 Determine flow in accordance with procedure given in Test Method C1437.

10.3.2 For portland and air-entraining portland cements, merely portland, portland-limestone, air-entraining portland, or
air-entraining portland-limestone cements, record the flow.

10.3.3 In the case of cements other than portland portland, portland-limestone, air-entraining portland, or air-entraining
portlandportland-limestone cements, make trial mortars with varying percentages of water until the specified flow is obtained.
Make each trial with fresh mortar. Record the water content used to achieve the specified flow as weight percent of cement.

10.3.4 Immediately following completion of the flow test, return the mortar from the flow table to the mixing bowl. Quickly scrape
the bowl sides and transfer into the batch the mortar that may have collected on the side of the bowl and then remix the entire batch
15 s at medium speed. Upon completion of mixing, the mixing paddle shall be shaken to remove excess mortar into the mixing
bowl.

10.3.5 When a duplicate batch is to be made immediately for additional specimens, the flow test may be omitted and the mortar
allowed to stand in the mixing bowl 90 s without covering. During the last 15 s of this interval, quickly scrape the bowl sides and
transfer into the batch the mortar that may have collected on the side of the bowl. Then remix for 15 s at medium speed.

10.4 Molding Test Specimens:

10.4.1 Complete the consolidation of the mortar in the molds either by hand tamping or by a qualified alternative method.
Alternative methods include but are not limited to the use of a vibrating table or mechanical devices.

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10.4.2 Hand Tamping—Start molding the specimens within a total elapsed time of not more than 2 min and 30 s after completion
of the original mixing of the mortar batch. Place a layer of mortar about 1 in. or [25 mm] (approximately one half of the depth
of the mold) in all of the cube compartments. Tamp the mortar in each cube compartment 32 times in about 10 s in four rounds,
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each round to be at right angles to the other and consisting of eight adjoining strokes over the surface of the specimen, as illustrated
in Fig. 1. The tamping pressure shall be just sufficient to ensure uniform filling of the molds. The four rounds of tamping (32
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strokes) of the mortar shall be completed in one cube before going to the next. When the tamping of the first layer in all of the
cube compartments is completed, fill the compartments with the remaining mortar and then tamp as specified for the first layer.
During tamping of the second layer, bring in the mortar forced out onto the tops of the molds after each round of tamping by means
of the gloved fingers and the tamper upon completion of each round and before starting the next round of tamping. On completion
of the tamping, the tops of all cubes should extendASTM
slightlyC109/C109M-21
above the tops of the molds. Bring in the mortar that has been forced
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out onto the tops of the molds with a trowel and smooth off the cubes by drawing the flat side of the trowel (with the leading edge
slightly raised) once across the top of each cube at right angles to the length of the mold. Then, for the purpose of leveling the
mortar and making the mortar that protrudes above the top of the mold of more uniform thickness, draw the flat side of the trowel
(with the leading edge slightly raised) lightly once along the length of the mold. Cut off the mortar to a plane surface flush with
the top of the mold by drawing the straight edge of the trowel (held nearly perpendicular to the mold) with a sawing motion over
the length of the mold.

10.4.3 Alternative Methods—Any consolidation method may be used that meets the qualification requirements of this section. The
consolidation method consists of a specific procedure, equipment and consolidation device, as selected and used in a consistent

FIG. 1 Order of Tamping in Molding of Test Specimens

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 C109/C109M − 21
manner by a specific laboratory. The mortar batch size of the method may be modified to accommodate the apparatus, provided
the proportions maintain the same ratios as given in 10.1.210.1.1.

10.4.3.1 Separate qualifications are required for the following classifications:

Class A, Non-air-entrained Cements—for use in concrete, such as sold under Specifications C150/C150M, C595/C595M, and
C1157/C1157M.
Class B, Air-EntrainedAir-entrained Cements—for use in concrete, such as sold under Specifications C150/C150M,
C595/C595M, and C1157/C1157M.
Class C, Masonry, Mortar, and Stucco Cements—such as sold under Specifications C91/C91M, C1328/C1328M, and
C1329/C1329M.

10.4.3.2 An alternative method may only be used to test the cement types as given in 10.4.3.1 above, for which it has been
qualified.

10.4.3.3 It can also be used for Strength Activity Index determinations for fly ash and Slag Activity Index determination for slag
cement, such as sold under Specifications C618 and C989/C989M, provided the alternative method has qualified for both Class
A and Class C cements.

10.4.4 Qualification Procedure—Contact CCRL to purchase cement samples that have been used in the Proficiency Sample
Program (PSP). Four samples (5 kg each) of the class to be qualified will be required to complete a single qualification (see Note
89).

10.4.4.1 In one day, prepare replicate six-cube or nine-cube batches using one of the cements and cast a minimum of 36 cubes.
Complete one round of tests on each cement on different days. Store and test all specimens as prescribed in the sections below.

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Test all cubes at the age of seven days.

10.4.4.2 Tabulate the compressive strength data and complete the mathematical analyses as instructed in Annex A1.
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10.4.5 Requalification of the Alternate Compaction Method:

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10.4.5.1 Requalification of the method shall Preview
be required if any of the following occur:
(1) Evidence that the method may not be providing data in accordance with the requirements of Table 23.
(2) Results that differ from the reported final average of a CCRL-PSP sample with a rating of 3 or less.
ASTM
(3) Results that differ from the accepted value of C109/C109M-21
a known reference sample with established strength values by more than twice
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the multi-laboratory 1s % values of Table 23.
Before starting the requalification procedure, evaluate all aspects of cube fabrication and testing process to determine if the
offending result is due to some systematic error or just an occasional random event.

10.4.5.2 If the compaction equipment is replaced, significantly modified, repaired, or has been recalibrated, requalify the
equipment in accordance with 10.4.4.

NOTE 9—It is recommended that a large homogenous sample of cement be prepared at the time of qualification for use as a secondary standard and for
method evaluation. Frequent testing of this sample will give early warning of any changes in the performance of the apparatus.

10.5 Storage of Test Specimens—Immediately upon completion of molding, place the test specimens in the moist closet or moist
room. Keep all test specimens, immediately after molding, in the molds on the base plates in the moist closet or moist room from
20 to 72 h with their upper surfaces exposed to the moist air but protected from dripping water. If the specimens are removed from
the molds before 24 h, keep them on the shelves of the moist closet or moist room until they are 24-h old, and then immerse the
specimens, except those for the 24-h test, in saturated lime water in storage tanks constructed of noncorroding materials. Keep the
storage water clean by changing as required.

11. Determination of Compressive Strength

11.1 Test the specimens immediately after their removal from the moist closet in the case of 24-h specimens, and from storage
water in the case of all other specimens. All test specimens for a given test age shall be broken within the permissible tolerance
prescribed as follows:
Test Age Permissible Tolerance
24 h ±1⁄2 h